ViewGuide

Created Jan 14, 2008 06:29PM PST • Edited Jan 14, 2008 06:29PM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Perfect 5.0

   I’m not ashamed to say that I had high hopes for this movie. I’m also delighted to report, that they were all surpassed! With gorgeous cinematography and a pitch perfect cast, this carnage-filled musical romp is nothing short of brilliance. After their last and similarly dark film, ‘The Corpse Bride’, Tim Burton,Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonhomme Carter come together to bring this carnage-filled Sondheim classic the big screen in all it’s blood spattering glory.

4. Acting

   Perfect 5.0

   All of the actors give superb performances and, perhaps suprisingly, very well done musical numbers. Not known for their singing, Johnny Depp (Pirates of the Caribbean, Donnie Brasco) and Alan Rickman (Harry Potter, Love Actually) give riveting performances. Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, Talladega Nights) also has an all too brief cameo as a flamboyant rival barber.
   Not too be overlooked of course, a bit of comic relief comes fitted in a low-cut dress as Helena Bonhomme Carter takes the role of Mrs. Lovett the slightly mad owner of a failing pie shop who eventually becomes Sweeney’s accomplice.

5. Male Stars Perfect 5.0

6. Female Stars Perfect 5.0

7. Female Costars Perfect 5.0

8. Male Costars Perfect 5.0

10. Film

    Perfect 5.0

    Beautiful in every way. Most of the film is washed out and grey, whilst things like Mrs.Lovett’s fantasies and memories are in bright, almost too vibrant colours. Burton has outdone himself in the making of this film.

11. Direction Perfect 5.0

12. Play Perfect 5.0

13. Music Perfect 5.0

14. Visuals Perfect 5.0
15. Content

16. Edge

    Sordid 2.9

    Sweeney takes to slitting many people’s throats on camera in plain view of the audience. Cartoonish amounts of blood pour from the victimes and sprays around the room at almost every instance of murder. Implications of cannabalism. A character burns to death.

17. Sex Titillating 2.1

    Some reference to sexual acts of various sorts. Implied assault of a young woman.

18. Violence Savage 4.0

19. Rudeness Salty 2.5

    The occasional profanity, nothing terribly bad.

21. Reality

    Supernatural 3.7

22. Circumstantial Supernatural 3.7

23. Biological Supernatural 3.7

24. Physical Supernatural 3.7